Abdullah Abu Sayeed

Abdullah Abu Sayeed (born 25 July 1939) is a Bangladeshi educator, writer, television presenter, and activist. He is the founder and chairman of Bishwa Sahitya Kendra, a non-profit organization that promotes the study of literature, reading habits and progressive ideas.

For other people with the same name, see Abu Sayeed (disambiguation).
Abdullah Abu Sayeed
Sayeed in 2014
Native name
আবদুল্লাহ্ আবু সায়ীদ
Born (1939-07-25) 25 July 1939
Park Circus, Calcutta, British India (now India)
OccupationTeacher, writer, television presenter, activist
NationalityBangladeshi
Education
Alma mater
Notable awards
Signature

Early life

Sayeed was born on 25 July 1939 in Park Circus, Calcutta.[1][2] His father was Azimuddin Ahmed, a teacher of English and Bengali literature, and a playwright.[3][4] Sayeed passed the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exam from RM Academy, Pabna in 1955 and the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exam from Prafulla Chandra College in Bagerhat in 1957. He later earned BA and MA degrees in Bengali from the University of Dhaka in 1960 and 1961 respectively.[3]

Career

Sayeed was a professor of the Bengali language at Dhaka College.[5] He edited the literary magazine Kanthashar (The Voice) in the 1960s which promoted a new trend in Bangladeshi literature.[1][2]

In the mid-1970s, he started presenting Shaptabarna (Seven Colors), a TV show on Bangladesh Television. In the 1970s and 1980s, he also presented TV show Eid Anadamela. He received the National Television Award in 1977.[6]

In 1978, he founded the Bishwa Sahitya Kendra.

Abdullah Abu Sayeed (left), with Yasmeen Haque and Muhammed Zafar Iqbal

Works

Sayeed has written and edited more than 50 books.[7]

  • Bidaye, Obonti (2005)
  • Bohe Joloboti Dhara (2006)
  • Bhalobashar Shampan (2007)
  • Bishwo Shahitto Kendro O Ami (2007)
  • Bisrosto Journal (2007)
  • Amar Uposthapok Jibon (2008)
  • Amar Ashabad (2009)
  • Amar Boka Shoishob (2010)[7]

Awards
  • Ramon Magsaysay Award (2004) in journalism, literature, and creative communication arts for "cultivating in the youth of Bangladesh a love for books and their humanizing values through exposure to the great works of Bengal and the world".[2]
  • National Television Award (1977)[6]
  • Mahbub Ullah Trust Award (1998)[1]
  • Ekushey Padak (2005)[6]
  • Bangla Academy Literary Award (2011) for his essays[8]
  • Khan Muhammad Farabi Memorial Award (2012)[9]
  • Star Lifetime Award on Education (2016)[6]

References
  1. "The 'bookworm' in full form: Abdullah Abu Sayeed turns 72". The Daily Star. 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2012-12-25.
  2. "Sayeed, Abdullah Abu". Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation. Retrieved 2012-12-15.
  3. Hossain, Selina; Islam, Nurul; Hossain, Mobarak, eds. (2000). Bangla Academy Dictionary of Writers. Bangla Academy. p. 2. ISBN 984-07-4052-0.
  4. Lorraine Hahn (2005-01-14). "Ramon Magsaysay Recipient Abdullah Abu Sayeed TalkAsia Transcript". CNN. Retrieved 2012-12-15.
  5. Shamim Ahsan (2004-09-03). "Recognised for an Enlightening Pursuit". Star Weekend Magazine. The Daily Star. Retrieved 2012-12-15.
  6. "Prof. Abdullah Abu Sayeed". The Daily Star. 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  7. "Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed's 80th birth anniversary today". The Daily Star. 2019-07-25. Retrieved 2019-07-24.
  8. "Bangla Academy prizes announced". bdnews24.com. 2012-02-18. Retrieved 2012-12-15.
  9. "Prof Abu Sayeed gets Farabi memorial award". The Daily Star. 2012-09-28. Retrieved 2018-08-10.


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